Waterford Township is asking the owner of a 30-foot concrete pillar used for graffiti to take it down.

Township officials say the tower, actually two precast concrete manhole sections, doesn’t comply with zoning ordinance requirements and that local residents and business owners have complained the tower is “unsightly.”

Darren Graunstadt, who runs L.A. Cafe at 5815 Dixie Highway, erected the tower on his property in June during his annual Peacefest arts festival.

“Artists from Ann Arbor, Flint, Detroit and (Waterford) have drawn on it,” said Graunstadt.

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“I wanted there to be a different type of art in the area.”

The circular tower contains words, drawings and several peace signs.

The township notified Graunstadt to remove the tower by Sept. 8.

“My customers all love it,” said Graunstadt, “but apparently somebody who doesn’t called the township.”

One supporter, Liz Gugyela of Waterford, said she didn’t understand the complaining.

The township said if the tower isn’t taken down, they will have it removed.

Graunstadt said he plans to appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

About the Author

Carol Hopkins covers Waterford and White Lake townships. She has a master's degree in journalism from the University of Michigan, and she worked as a senior editor for Detroit Monthly magazine and as a reporter for The Oakland Press since 2003. Reach the author at carol.hopkins@oakpress.com
or follow Carol on Twitter: @OPCarolHopkins.